How to make the most powerful poison in the world. The strongest and fastest poisons in the world and their effects on humans
Some animals have the amazing ability to kill using toxic chemicals, or poison. This method is considered one of the most cowardly, insidious and effective. In this article, you will discover 11 poisonous animals in the world that can easily kill an adult.
There are "passively" venomous animals (which transmit their venom by being eaten or attacked by other animals) and "actively" venomous (they inject venom into their victims using stingers, fangs or other devices.
The most poisonous amphibian: The terrible leaf climber
Lives only in rainwater tropical forests western part of Colombia. The poison of one frog can kill from 10 to 20 people. (Only one type of snake Liophis epinephelus, is resistant to the poison of the terrible leaf climber, however, if exposed to a sufficiently large amount of toxin, the reptile may die).
Interestingly, the terrible leaf climber produces its poison from its diet of native ants and beetles; specimens kept in captivity and feeding on fruit flies and other common insects are completely harmless.
Most poisonous spider: Brazilian wandering spider
If you suffer from arachnophobia (fear of spiders), there is good and bad news for you about the Brazilian wandering spider. Good news is that these spiders live in the tropics of South America, and do not always inject a full dose of poison during a bite, and also rarely attack people; The even better news is that an effective antidote (if administered quickly) can prevent death. The bad news is that the spider's venom contains powerful neurotoxins that slowly paralyze and suffocate its victims, even in microscopic doses.
Men bitten by Brazilian wandering spiders often experience painful erections.
Most Poisonous Snake: McCoy's Taipan
The venom of this Australian snake is the most powerful among land snakes. Toxic substances contained in one individual can kill hundreds of adults. (Its venom is made up of neurotoxins, hemotoxins, mycotoxins, and nephrotoxins. This means it can dissolve your blood, brain, muscles, and kidneys before you hit the ground.) Fortunately, this venomous snake rarely comes into contact with humans. and even when this happens (if you know how to interact with her), she becomes quite meek and easily tamed.
The most poisonous fish: Wart
This fish lives in shallow waters in the South Pacific Ocean. It looks ominously like a rock or piece of coral (the camouflage is meant to ward off predators) and if stepped on, the wart injects a powerful dose of toxins into the person's foot.
Australian authorities are actively replenishing supplies of antidotes, so there is a high probability of saving lives (provided that the antidote is administered in a timely manner).
Most Poisonous Insect: Maricopa Ant
Maricopa Ants ( Pogonomyrmex maricopa) enough dangerous insects. About 300 bites of these ants can cause death in an adult. Their venom is much stronger than that of hornets and honey bees. One bite of such an ant causes acute pain that lasts about 4 hours.
Fortunately, it is virtually impossible to accidentally step on a Maricopa ant colony and end up getting stung by hundreds; These insects are known to build nests with a diameter of about 9 m and a height of up to 2 m!
The most poisonous jellyfish: Sea wasp
Box jellyfish (jellyfish characterized by a rectangular bell shape) are by far the most dangerous invertebrate animals in the world, and the sea wasp ( Chironex fleckeri) is considered the most poisonous looking jellyfish on the planet. Tentacles sea wasp covered with nematocytes - stinging cells, which, upon contact, cause burns.
Most people who come into contact with a sea wasp's tentacles experience excruciating pain, but a close encounter with this species can kill you in five minutes.
Most poisonous mammal: Platypus
Of course, platypus venom will not cause death to a person, but it will cause severe pain and swelling. Its poison is capable of killing small animals. On the hind limbs of males there are spurs (about 15 mm long) that contain poison. Most often, males use these spurs to fight each other during the breeding season.
Other venomous mammals include: 3 species from the shrew family and the Cuban slittooth ( Solenodon cubanus).
The most poisonous mollusk: Marble cone
If you've never used the phrase "predatory sea snail," then you clearly don't know enough about the sea creatures that can kill you with a single bite. This mollusk is capable of paralyzing its prey (including other snails of the genus Conus) using a toxic poison that can easily kill an unwary person.
Unfortunately, no one has ever calculated how much poison can harm an adult.
Most poisonous bird: Bicolored blackbird flycatcher
The bicolored blackbird flycatcher from New Guinea contains a powerful poison called batrachotoxin. It is found in the skin and feathers of birds and can cause mild numbness and tingling in humans, but is much more dangerous for small animals. (Apparently, thrush flycatchers synthesize poison from beetles that are part of their diet (these beetles are also part of the diet of dart frogs).
Another well-known poisonous bird is the common quail, the meat of which (if the bird has consumed a plant of a certain species) can lead to a non-fatal disease for humans called coturnism.
Most poisonous octopus: Blue-ringed octopus
Blue-ringed octopuses live in the Indian and Pacific oceans and are quite modest in size (the largest individuals rarely exceed 20 cm). Their bite is almost painless, but the venom causes paralysis and can kill an adult within just a few minutes.
There is currently no antidote for blue-ringed octopus bites.
Most poisonous turtle: Hawksbill
Unlike some of the other animals on this list, the hawksbill turtle is not miniature: adults weigh about 80 kg, about the same as the average person. These turtles are distributed throughout the world, and individuals from Southeast Asia that eat toxic algae have poisonous meat that can cause poisoning in humans (symptoms of poisoning: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other intestinal ailments).
These turtles are endangered and protected by law.
Chemical agents are used in medicine, the agricultural industry, the military and, unfortunately, in terrorist operations. The most powerful poison on the planet is determined according to various criteria: origin, duration of action, degree of spread, area affected, type of substance (solid, liquid, gas). Many factors influence the strength of action; it is impossible to give it an unambiguous assessment. The rating collected popular and little-known toxins.
Cyanide
What does potassium cyanide look like (photo)Cyanides – large group substances of organic and inorganic nature. Not the most dangerous, but the most common poisons. These include hydrocyanic acid and its salts. Enter the body through skin, respiratory tract or with food.
Hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide, formula HCN) used in the 20th century by the French and fascists during wars. In America they were used in prison gas chambers. A poisonous, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic odor is found in plants and coke oven gas. Released when smoking, thermal exposure to polyurethanes and nylon. Death occurs within 5 - 15 minutes from 0.5 mg/kg orally and at air concentrations above 0.011%. Banned by the Geneva Convention since 1949.
What does hydrocyanic acid look like (photo) Gained particular popularity potassium cyanide (potassium salt of hydrocyanic acid, formula KCN). The substance is similar in appearance to powdered sugar. Lethal outcome occurs after use of 140–170 mg/kg. Interestingly:
- The poison caused the death of Rasputin and Hitler;
- in 1982 A poisoner was operating in the USA. The maniac added cyanide to medications that killed at least 7 people;
- Sulfur and sugar help with poisoning. There are antidotes in medicine.
Sarin
A colorless liquid with a faint odor of blossoming apple trees, developed for agricultural needs in 1938. But it quickly found application in the military operations of the Nazis. Amazes nervous system through all routes of influence. Lethal contact through the skin is 0.12 mg/l or a concentration of 0.075 mg/l in air. The man dies in agony and convulsions.
Since 1993 the substance is on the prohibited list. On June 12, 2017, the Russian media reported about the complete destruction of liquid reserves in the country. It continues to be used by terrorists and the military. On August 21, 2013, at least 280 people were killed by sarin gas in Syria.
Treatment begins at the first symptoms. The person is isolated from the damaging agent. The body is treated with a weak alkali solution, the stomach is washed. The victim will undergo long-term treatment with antidotes.
Alpha Latrotoxin
The poison is produced by spiders of the karakurt family. Females pose the greatest danger. The strength of the toxic substance depends on the season: in the spring its penetration into the body causes more severe consequences than in the fall. There are 31 species of insects in nature. The notorious female steppe karakurt is the black widow. Insects live in tropical, subtropical, and temperate latitudes. There are populations in Crimea.
Lethal outcomes are rarely recorded, because A serum has been developed that neutralizes the poison. Deaths occur among those bitten in children and the elderly. Lethal dose – 0.045 mg/kg.
The poison is absorbed into the blood within 15-60 minutes and affects the neuromuscular tissue. Accompanied by pain in the abdomen, chest, lower back; shortness of breath, hypertension, dizziness, dilated pupils. Death occurs from heart failure and respiratory dysfunction.
Toadstool toxins
30 grams of toadstool eaten kills a person Most poisonous mushroom in the world contains aminotoxins and phalloidins. Poisons destroy the liver and kidneys. The danger of poisoning lies in the prolonged absence of symptoms.
The manifestation of the toxin is noticeable after 6-24 hours. Symptoms: severe abdominal pain, fainting, dizziness, diarrhea. On the third day, a false improvement in well-being occurs, while the destruction of the body continues. Death occurs within 10 days from cardiovascular failure.
The antidote is an injectable form of silibinin. Due to the late diagnosis, there is a high probability of death from 30 grams of eaten mushroom.
Ricin
The most dangerous poison, ricin, is extracted from castrum beans. The white powder is obtained from castor beans. Odorless, soluble in water. It has a destructive effect on protein synthesis processes. The effect of the toxin on the body has been studied since the First World War. Damage to the body is possible both through inhalation and when it enters the blood directly.
In 1978 Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov died from an umbrella injection. The tip contained a capsule containing ricin. In 2001 and 2003 the use of the substance by terrorists became known. In 2009 intelligence agencies prevented the sending of letters containing ricin to the US president and politicians.
Symptoms appear within 24 hours if inhaled and 10 hours if ingested through food. The lethal dose is 0.03 mg/kg. Ricin affects the respiratory tract and heart. Death occurs within 6–8 days. Treatment involves intoxication and symptomatic therapy.
Tetrodotoxin
Fugu fish produces tetradotoxin The poison is known throughout the world thanks to the Japanese delicacy - fugu fish dish. The toxin is contained in 50% of the fish carcass: skin, liver, milk, caviar. Cooking is trusted only to experienced chefs who can cook fish without damaging the poisonous organs.
Summer 2010 flocks of fugu visited the Primorsky region. Two Khabarovsk residents caught fish and fried it over a fire. Both died from anaphylactic shock. In addition to pufferfish, the toad Atelopus Varius and the mollusk Babilonia Japonica accumulate the toxin.
The poison has a neuroparalytic effect. Within half an hour, severe abdominal pain, itching of the tongue and lips, vomiting and nausea appear. If detoxification is not done in a timely manner, breathing becomes difficult and aphonia develops. A person is doomed to die within 6 hours from paralysis of the respiratory muscles after consuming 0.008 mg/kg of the substance.
Palytoxin
Palytoxin is produced by coral - zoantaria Contained in zoantharia - six-rayed corals. Of the non-protein toxic compounds, this is the most dangerous substance. Death occurs after 0.00015 mg/kg enters the body within 2 to 3 minutes after the injection into the polyp.
The toxin disrupts cell function. Symptoms: chest pain, rapid heartbeat, hemolysis, difficulty breathing. You can run into animals in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. There is no antidote. Vasodilators help
Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum The toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum and causes botulism. It underlies the production of a number of pharmaceuticals and Botox injections. The most powerful protein poison and one of the most powerful in the world. Lethal dose orally - 0.001 mg/kg; during inhalation – 0.0002 mg/l.
The danger lies in the everyday risk of contracting botulism. Microorganisms multiply in canned food, sausages, fish with damaged skin, and large prepared pieces of meat. They affect nerve endings in the skeleton and heart, and disrupt oxygen exchange. Death occurs as a result of paralysis of the respiratory organs and heart; asphyxia, hypoxia.
The patient's stomach is washed and detoxification drugs are administered. Boiling partially helps prevent the disease. The bacteria can withstand a five-hour heat treatment. They die at a temperature of 120 0 C. But the toxin begins to break down at 70 – 80 degrees Celsius.
VX (Vee-ex)
VX - the most powerful synthetic poison The substance was obtained in 1955. It was planned to be used as a pesticide, but the toxicity exceeded permissible limits agriculture norms. Oral exposure to 70 mg/kg can result in death. This is the most dangerous synthetic poison.
V-ex has a neuroparalytic effect. During the first 5 minutes, constriction of the pupils, salivation, and sweating are observed. Over the next 5 to 10 minutes, the person dies in convulsions and seizures.
There is a ban on the use of gas. Officially, only the United States and Russia recognize the presence of reserves. Practice shows that other countries also produce the substance. Kim Jong-un's brother was killed with the help of a chemical in February of this year.
The victim is taken out of the affected area, clothes are decontaminated. The eyes are washed with a 2% solution of baking soda. Symptomatic therapy is used.
Diamphotoxin
The larva of the Diamphidia beetle produces the most powerful poison on the planet - Diamphotoxin. Produced by the larvae and pupae of South African beetles of the genus Diamphidia. This is the most powerful poison of animal origin. To kill a person, 0.000025 mg/kg is enough. Used by indigenous peoples to lubricate arrows during hunting. It disrupts the electrolyte composition of cells and in a short time reduces the level of hemoglobin in the blood by 75%.
No human deaths were recorded. The toxin is released as a defense against predators.
But you can die not only from poisons, but also from ordinary foods if you eat too much of them. Finally, I suggest you get to know how you can die by overeating regular foods!
Poisonous substances surround us everywhere. Their number is in the thousands. The degree of danger to a person is individual. No one is safe from poisoning. But every person has the power to minimize the risk. What do you think about these poisons?
Trying to figure out which poison is the strongest in nature is doomed to failure - too many variables affect the results. However, if we take only one parameter - the average lethal dose, only one type of living beings - laboratory mice, only one route of administration - intramuscular, and evaluate not whole poisons, but their individual components, then some idea of the “ideal killers” can be obtained .
The average lethal dose, DL50 (lat. dosis letalis), causes the death of half of the experimental animals (DL100 is the dose minimally sufficient for all who received it). DL is measured in milligrams of a substance per 1 kg of animal body weight (mg/kg); in our rating it is indicated in parentheses after the name of the substance. So, the top 10 most toxic poisons with DL50 are for mice when administered intramuscularly.
Neurotoxin II (0.085 mg/kg)
Source: component of the poison of the Central Asian (Naja oxiana).
The venom of this snake is extremely strong. When bitten, it has a neurotoxic effect. After the bite, the victim is lethargic, but soon begins to experience convulsions, breathing becomes more frequent and shallow. Death occurs after some time due to paralysis of the respiratory tract. Local manifestations (hematomas, tumors) do not occur with a Central Asian bite.
Despite the danger, this snake bites quite rarely, preferring to take defensive posture when danger approaches, it hisses loudly, raising the front part of the body and spreading the front eight pairs of cervical ribs to the sides so that the flattened neck expands in the form of a “hood”. Usually, this is enough to convince the enemy to retreat. Although, even if the enemy does not heed the warnings, this is not always followed by a bite. First, the cobra delivers a false bite - throwing the front part of the body sharply forward and hitting the enemy with its head. The mouth is closed during this blow. In this way, the snake protects its own from possible injury.
The Central Asian cobra, whose length reaches 1.5-1.6 m, is common in northwestern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and northeastern Iran. In Central Asia, this snake is found in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The northern border of the range is the Nura-Tau ridge and the Bel-Tau-Ata mountains, the western border is the spurs of the Turkestan ridge.
Antidote: it is recommended to administer Anticobra serum or polyvalent antisnake serum, use of anticholinesterase drugs in combination with atropine, corticosteroids, and antihypoxants. In case of deep breathing disorders, artificial ventilation of the lungs is necessary.
Alpha-latrotoxin (0.045 mg/kg)
Source: Contained in the venom of 31 species of spiders of the genus Latrodectus (karakurt).
A neurotoxin that causes the release of acetylcholine, norepinephrine and other mediators from presynaptic terminals, followed by depletion of their reserves.
At the moment of a bite, an immediate burning pain is most often felt (in some sources, the bite is painless), which spreads throughout the body within 15-30 minutes. Typically, patients complain of unbearable pain in the abdomen, lower back, and chest. Characterized by sharp abdominal muscles. Shortness of breath, palpitations, increased heart rate, dizziness, headache, tremor, vomiting, pallor or flushing of the face, sweating, a feeling of heaviness in the chest and epigastric regions, exophthalmos and dilated pupils. The face takes on a bluish tint. Priapism, bronchospasm, urinary and defecatory retention are also characteristic. Psychomotor agitation in the later stages of poisoning is replaced by deep depression, blackouts, and delirium. Deaths have been reported in humans and farm animals. After 3-5 days, the skin becomes covered with a rash, and the victim’s condition improves somewhat. Recovery begins in 2-3 weeks, but for a long time he feels general weakness.
Karakurts (“black widows”) live in tropical, subtropical and even temperate latitudes on all continents except Antarctica. Only females are dangerous (their body size is up to 2 cm). Males are much smaller (0.5 cm) and are not able to bite through human skin. The toxicity of the poison has a pronounced seasonal dependence: the September one is about ten times more powerful than the May one.
Antidote: antikarakurt serum.
Alpha-conotoxin (0.012 mg/kg)
Source: component of the complex venom of the mollusk Conus geographus (geographic cone).
A neurotoxin that blocks H-cholinergic receptors in muscles and peripheral nerves.
Cones are very active when touched in their habitat. Their toxic apparatus consists of a poisonous gland connected by a duct to a hard proboscis by a radula-grater located at the wide end of the shell, with sharp spines that replace the mollusk’s teeth. If you take the shell in your hands, the mollusk instantly extends the radula and thrusts spines into the body. The injection is accompanied by acute pain leading to loss of consciousness, numbness of the fingers, strong heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sometimes paralysis. In the Pacific Islands, cases of shell collectors dying from cone stings have been recorded.
The cone shells are 15-20 cm long. Habitat is the eastern and northern coasts of Australia, the eastern coast of Southeast Asia and China, and the Central Pacific region.
Antidote: There is no antidote. The only measure is copious bleeding from the injection site.
Chiriquitotoxin (0.01 mg/kg)
Source: Produced by the skin of the toad Atelopus chiriquiensis.
A structural analogue of tetrodotoxin - it differs only in the replacement of the CH2OH group with an as yet unidentified radical. Neurotoxin, blocks sodium and potassium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.
Causes impaired coordination of movements, convulsions, incomplete paralysis of the limbs.
Small (males - about 3 cm, females - 3.5-5 cm) toads with beautiful name Chiriquitas are found on the isthmus between North and South America - in Panama and Costa Rica. The species is endangered. The toxin is produced by the skin of the chirikit, and the toxicity, we recall, was assessed when administered intramuscularly.
Antidote
Tityutoxin (0.009 mg/kg)
Source: one of the venom components of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis).
Neurotoxin slows down the inactivation of fast sodium channels of electrically excitable membranes, which leads to the development of persistent depolarization.
The venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion is produced in two enlarged glands located immediately behind the sting, which looks like a barb at the end of the tail. They are what give Scorpios the “fat” appearance. It also differs from other scorpions in the color of its sting - from dark brown to black. The venom of the fat-tailed scorpion is so toxic that it can even kill an adult human. It feeds mainly on small insects such as locusts or beetles, but can easily kill small lizards or mice. As soon as the victim stops resisting, the scorpion dismembers the body into small parts using sharp claws.
This type of scorpion is associated with up to 80% of all serious poisonings and up to 95% of deaths from scorpion injections.
Androctonus australis are medium-sized scorpions up to 10 cm long. They are not related to Australia: australis in Latin means “southern”, and androctonus in Greek means “murderer”. Found in the Middle East, north and southeast Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Iraq, Iran, etc.).
Antidote: antitoxic serum “Antiscorpion”. Antikarakurt serum can be used as a slightly less effective replacement.
Tetrodotoxin (0.008 mg/kg)
Source: produced and accumulated in the tissues of fish of the Tetraodontidae family, the mollusk BabyIonia japonica and a close relative of the chirikit, the toad Atelopus varius.
Neurotoxin, selectively blocks sodium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.
This is a dangerous poison that, once in the digestive tract, causes severe pain, convulsions and usually leads to death.
Some species of the Tetraodontidae family (four-toothed, also known as rock-toothed, dogfish and pufferfish) reach a length of up to half a meter. Both these fish and the dish made from them are called “fugu” in Japan. The poison is contained in the liver, milk, caviar, intestines and skin, so only specially trained chefs are allowed to prepare fugu, who remove the poisonous organs using a separate method for each type. If pufferfish meat is prepared by ignorant amateurs, then in 60 cases out of 100, trying such a dish leads to death. And such cases are still not uncommon. According to a Japanese proverb, “he who eats fugu is a fool, but he who does not eat is also a fool.”
The habitat of puffer fish is from the northern coast of Australia to the northern coast of Japan and from south coast China to the eastern islands of Oceania.
The mollusk Babylonia japonica has a very beautiful shell with a classic spiral shape, 40-85 mm long. Habitat: the coast of the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan and Japan.
Toads Atelopus varius (Atelop variegated) are small, 2.5-4 cm, and if you are “lucky” you can stumble upon them only in the jungles of Panama and Costa Rica.
Antidote: There is no specific antidote; detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out.
Typoxin (typotoxin) (0.002 mg/kg)
Source: component of the poison itself poisonous snake on land - the Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). Before the development of the antidote (1955), up to 90% of those bitten died.
A presynaptic toxin has phospholipase activity and causes a characteristic release of nerve impulse mediators (weakening of secretion, strengthening and, finally, its complete inhibition). Has neurotoxic and myotoxic effects.
Taipan is very aggressive. When in danger, it curls and vibrates the end of its tail. Snakes are most aggressive during the mating period and skin change, but this does not mean that at other times they are peaceful and docile.
Taipans reach a length of 2 to 3.6 m. They have a very aggressive character, but, fortunately, they are found only in sparsely populated areas on the northeast coast of Australia and the south of New Guinea.
Antidote: antitoxic taipan serum.
Batrachotoxin (0.002 mg/kg)
Source: skin secretion of leaf-climbing frogs of the genus Phyllobates.
It has a strong cardiotoxic effect, causing extrasystoles and fibrillation of the ventricles of the heart, paralyzing the respiratory muscles, myocardium and skeletal muscles. Persistently and irreversibly increases the permeability of the resting membrane for sodium ions and blocks axonal transport.
The poisonousness of these frogs is such that you can’t even touch them. The skin secretions of leafhoppers contain alkaloids-batrachotoxins, which, when ingested, cause arrhythmia, fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
Tree frogs do not exceed 5 cm in length and are usually brightly colored in gold, black-orange and black-yellow (warning coloration). If you get carried away South America from Nicaragua to Colombia - don't grab them with your hands.
Antidote: There is no specific antidote; detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out. A strong antagonist is tetrodotoxin - wedge by wedge...
Palytoxin (0.00015 mg/kg)
Source: contained in the rays of the six-rayed coral polyps Palythoa toxica, P. tuberculosa, P. сaribacorum.
Cytotoxic poison. Damages the sodium-potassium pump of cells, disrupting the gradient of ion concentrations between the cell and the intercellular environment. Causes pain in the chest, as with angina pectoris, tachycardia, difficulty breathing, hemolysis. Death occurs within the first few minutes after the injection into the polyp.
The body of these polyps - inhabitants of the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans- consists not of eight, as in ordinary corals, but of six or of more than eight, the number of rays located on several corollas, usually a multiple of six.
Antidote: There is no specific antidote; symptomatic therapy is carried out. Animal studies suggest that simple vasodilators such as papaverine or isosorbide dinitrate may be effective.
Diamphotoxin (0.000025 Kmg/kg)
Source: the most powerful poison of animal origin on our planet, contained in the hemolymph (“blood”) of the larvae of the South African leaf beetle of the genus Diamphidia (D.Кlocusta, D.Кnigro-ornata, D.Кfemoralis), belonging to the same family with all known pests - Colorado potato beetle. Designed solely for protection from predators.
A single-chain polypeptide that opens all sodium-potassium channels in the cell membrane “for entry”, as a result of which the cell dies due to an imbalance in the intracellular electrolyte balance. It has a neurotoxic and especially pronounced hemolytic effect; in a short period of time it reduces the hemoglobin content in the blood by 75% due to the massive destruction of red blood cells. Bushmen still use crushed larvae of diamphidia: an arrow smeared with this liquid can knock down an adult 500-kilogram giraffe.
Adult beetles reach 10-12 mm in length. Females lay eggs on the branches of Commiphora plants. The larvae burrow into the ground, pupate and develop into a pupa over several years. Therefore, finding Diamphidia cocoons is not a problem for hunters.
Antidote: There is no specific antidote. Carry out detoxification and symptomatic therapy.
There are a sufficient number of natural and artificially produced poisons in the world. The effects of all toxic substances are different. Some can instantly take life, while others destroy the body gradually, forcing a person to suffer for a long time. There are potent substances that in small doses poison a person asymptomatically, but there are also the most dangerous poisons that cause severe pain, which even in small quantities can lead to fatal outcome.
Chemical compounds and gases
Cyanide
Hydrocyanic acid salts are an extremely dangerous poison. Many lives have been taken using this potent substance. On the battlefield, they poisoned the enemy with cyanide, spraying poison that instantly killed soldiers, getting on the mucous membranes and affecting respiratory system. Currently, cyanide is used in analytical chemistry, in the mining of gold and silver, in electrochemistry, and in organic synthesis.
One of the salts of hydrocyanic acid, the potassium salt, known as potassium cyanide, is a powerful inorganic poison. He looks like granulated sugar, and it can safely be classified as an instant-acting poison. Entering the human body through the gastrointestinal tract, death occurs instantly; only 1.7 mg per 1 kg of weight is enough. Potassium cyanide prevents oxygen from entering tissues and cells, resulting in death from oxygen starvation. Antidotes for this poison are compounds containing hydrocarbons, sulfur and ammonia. Glucose is considered the strongest anticyanide, so in case of poisoning, its solution is administered intravenously to the victim.
Apparently, in order to avoid prolonged death throes, this poison was chosen by some famous Nazis to commit suicide, since it acts instantly. According to one version, Adolf Hitler himself was among them.
The vapors of this poisonous element are extremely toxic and insidious, because they have no odor. Mercury affects the body through the lungs, kidneys, skin and mucous membranes. Soluble compounds of this substance are more dangerous than pure metal, but it tends to gradually evaporate and poison a person.
It is especially harmful for the population when mercury compounds enter a body of water. IN aquatic environment the metal is converted into methylmercury, and then this powerful organic poison accumulates in the organisms of the inhabitants of the reservoir. If people use this water for domestic needs and go fishing in such places, then this is fraught with mass poisoning. Regular inhalation of mercury vapor is a slow-acting poison. Toxins accumulate in the body, which leads to nervous disorders, up to the onset of schizophrenia or complete insanity.
Exposure of a pregnant woman to mercury can lead to irreversible consequences, as it spreads quickly through the blood and easily penetrates the placenta. Even a seemingly harmless broken thermometer, which contains a small amount of this potent toxic substance, can provoke the development of defects in a child inside the womb.
Sarin
The extremely poisonous sarin gas, which was developed by two German scientists, kills a person in one minute. It was used as chemical weapons in World War II and civil wars, after which both the USA and the USSR began to produce sarin and stockpile it in case of war. Following an experimental incident that resulted in death, production of this poison was discontinued. Nevertheless, Japanese terrorists managed to obtain this poison in the mid-nineties - the terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway, during which about 6,000 people were poisoned with sarin, received wide attention.
Sarin affects the body both through the skin and through the respiratory system, affecting the nervous system. Severe intoxication is observed due to ingestion of this substance by inhalation. This nerve gas kills a person quickly, but at the same time brings hellish torment. First of all, the gas affects the mucous membranes, a person begins to have a runny nose and blurred eyes, then vomiting and severe pain behind the sternum appear, and the last stage is death from suffocation.
Formaldehyde and phenols
Literally everyone has encountered these household poisons that are dangerous to humans.
Phenols are contained in varnishes and paints, without which no cosmetic repair can be done. Formaldehyde can be found in plastics, fiberboard and chipboard.
With prolonged inhalation of these potent toxic substances, breathing is impaired, various types of allergic reactions, dizziness and nausea appear. Constant contact with these poisons can result in malfunctions of the reproductive system, and with severe intoxication, a person can die from swelling of the larynx.
Poisons of plant and animal origin
Amatoxin
Amatoxin is a poison that affects the gastrointestinal tract. The source of poisoning is some types of mushrooms, for example, toadstool and white toadstool. Even in acute poisoning, amatoxin has a slow effect on an adult, which makes it possible to classify this potent substance as a delayed-action poison. In case of poisoning, severe vomiting, pain in the stomach and intestines, and continuous bloody diarrhea are observed. On the second day, the victim’s liver enlarges and the kidneys fail, followed by coma and death.
A positive prognosis is observed with timely treatment. Despite the fact that amatoxin, like all slow-acting poisons, causes irreparable harm gradually, there were also lightning-fast deaths, mainly among children.
Ricin
This plant poison is six times more toxic than the instant killer cyanide. One pinch is enough to kill an adult.
Ricin was actively used as a weapon in war; with its help, intelligence services got rid of individuals posing a threat to the state. They found out about it quite quickly, since lethal doses of this potent substance were deliberately sent to recipients along with letters.
Bacillus anthrax
This is the causative agent of an infectious disease that poses a huge danger to domestic animals and humans. Anthrax is very acute and, as a rule, the infected person dies. The incubation period lasts up to four days. Infection most often occurs through damaged areas of the skin, and less often through the respiratory tract.
With the pulmonary form of infection, the prognosis is unfavorable and mortality rates reach 95%. Most often, the bacillus is localized in certain areas of the skin, so anthrax is one of the most dangerous contact poisons, fatal to humans. With adequate and timely treatment, a person is on the path to recovery. The infection can affect the intestines and affect internal organs, which leads to sepsis. Another severe form, which is cured only in very rare cases, is anthrax meningitis.
Despite the fact that mass infection with this poison in everyday life, fortunately, has not been observed for a long time, cases of this terrible disease are still being recorded in Russia.
The Sanitary and Epidemiological Service regularly conducts veterinary surveillance on the territory of pig farms and agricultural enterprises that keep cattle.
You should not assume that potent toxic substances are only the hard-to-reach poisons listed above. Any chemical in large quantities can be a deadly poison for humans in everyday life. This includes chlorine, which is used for disinfection, and various detergents, and even vinegar essence. To be wary of toxic substances, to take precautions when handling them and to hide them from children is the strict responsibility of every conscious adult.
Any toxic substances, be they chemical or plant, pose a serious danger to the body. Science knows dozens and hundreds of the strongest poisons, many of which are used by man himself, and not for good deeds - this includes terrorism, genocide, and much more. But there were also times when poisons were considered medicines. One way or another, toxic substances are still undergoing active research in laboratories. What is the most powerful poison in the world?
Cyanide
Cyanides are a class of harmful, potent substances that are dangerous to humans. Their toxicity is explained by their immediate effect on the respiratory functions of cells, which, in turn, stops the work of the entire body. Cells stop functioning, organs fail. All this leads to a very serious condition, fraught with death. Cyanide itself is a derivative of hydrocyanic acid.
Externally, cyanide is a white powder with a crystalline structure. It is quite unstable and dissolves well in water. We are talking about the most known form– potassium cyanide, and there is also sodium cyanide, which is also quite toxic. The poison is obtained not only in the laboratory, but also extracted from plants. It is important to know that some foods may contain this substance in small quantities. Almonds and fruit seeds are dangerous. But the poisoning is cumulative.
Cyanide is often used in industrial production - in particular, the production of paper, some fabrics, plastics, as well as in reagents for photo development. In metallurgy, cyanide is used to purify metals from impurities; and in grain storage facilities rodents are destroyed using means based on this poison. Lethal dose of dangerous poison in the world is 0.1 mg/l, and death occurs within an hour. If the quantity is greater, then in ten minutes. First, the person loses consciousness, then stops breathing, and then the heart stops.
This substance was first isolated by the German chemist Bunsen, and in 1845 methods of production on an industrial scale were developed.
Anthrax spores
These substances are the causative agents of an extremely dangerous infectious disease, most often ending in death. People who come into contact with livestock are at risk of contracting Bacillus Anthracis. Spores can be stored in the soil of a cattle burial ground for a very long time.
The disease has been killing people for centuries, especially during the Middle Ages. And only in the 19th century Louis Pasteur managed to create a vaccine against it. He studied the resistance of animals to poisons by injecting them with a weakened strain of ulcer, which resulted in the development of immunity. In 2010, US scientists created an even more effective vaccine against the disease.
Anthrax spores are found in all secretions of a sick animal, ending up with them in water and soil. Thus, they can spread hundreds of kilometers from the source of infection. In African countries, insects that drink blood can also become infected with poison. Incubation ranges from several hours to seven days. The poison causes irreparable damage to blood vessels, causing swelling, loss of sensitivity, and inflammation. Carbuncles begin to appear on the skin; It is especially dangerous if they occur on the face. Subsequently, a host of other unpleasant symptoms may occur, from diarrhea to bloody vomiting. Often the patient will die at the end.
The disease caused by anthrax spores develops extremely quickly and causes terrible external and internal damage.
Many residents of Russia remember this name from school life lessons. One of the most toxic substances on Earth has been a weapon since 1991. mass destruction. And it was discovered in 1938 by a chemical company in Germany and from the very beginning was intended for military purposes.
Under normal conditions, sarin is an odorless liquid that evaporates quickly. Since it cannot be smelled, poisoning can only be known when symptoms appear.
Moreover, poisoning occurs through inhalation of steam, and through contact with skin or entry into the oral cavity.
Sarin binds certain enzymes, in particular protein, as a result of which it can no longer support nerve fibers.
Mild poisoning results in shortness of breath and weakness. In moderate cases, constriction of the pupils, lacrimation, severe headache, nausea, and trembling of the limbs occurs. If timely assistance is not provided, death occurs in 100% of cases, but even if assistance is provided, every second poisoned person dies. Severe degree is characterized by the same symptoms as moderate, but they are more pronounced and progress faster. Vomiting occurs, spontaneous excretion of feces and urine occurs, and an incredible headache appears. A minute later the person faints, and five minutes later he dies from damage to the respiratory center.
Sarin was not used in World War II due to Hitler's prejudice against poisonous gases.
Amatoxin
This is the most powerful venom that is independently produced in nature, it is more powerful than the venom of any snake. It is mainly found in white toadstools and when ingested, it affects the kidneys and liver, and then gradually kills all cells over the course of several days.
The poison is very insidious: the first symptoms appear only after 12 hours, and sometimes up to a day. Of course, it’s already too late to do gastric lavage; you need to call an ambulance. Within two days, traces of amatoxin can be detected in a urine test. Activated charcoal and the drug cephalosporin can also help the patient, and in particularly difficult cases it is necessary to resort to a liver transplant. But even after recovery, the patient may suffer from heart, kidney and liver failure for a long time.
A large dose of penicillin is used as an antidote; if it is not introduced, then a person dies on average within a week
This is a poison of plant origin, most often used in baiting small rodents. It has been produced in the laboratory since 1818, extracting it from the seeds of the African chilibuha plant. Strychnine is mentioned in many detective novels, where characters die from exposure to this substance. One of the properties of strychnine is also played out: at the very beginning, it causes a sharp and powerful surge of strength by blocking some neurotransmitters.
The substance is used in the production of medicines, but drugs containing strychnine nitrate are prescribed only in the most extreme cases. Indirect indications for use may be neurological diseases in which nerve impulses are inhibited; poor appetite; impotence; severe forms of alcoholism that cannot be cured by other methods.
Symptoms of poisoning with this poison are similar to the primary symptoms of tetanus. These include difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing, fear of light and convulsions.
A dose of 1 milligram per 1 kilogram of body weight is fatal.
The first information about mercury has reached us from the depths of time; it is mentioned in documents dating back to 350 BC, and archaeological excavations More ancient traces were also found. The metal was widely used and continues to be used in medicine, art, and industry. Its vapors are extremely toxic, and poisoning can be either immediate or cumulative. First of all, harm is done to the nervous system, and then to other systems of the body.
The initial symptoms of mercury poisoning are trembling of the fingers and eyelids, and later - of all parts of the body. Then there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract, insomnia, headache, vomiting, and memory impairment. In case of poisoning by vapors, rather than mercury compounds, damage to the respiratory tract is initially noticed. If exposure to the substance is not stopped promptly, it can be fatal.
The effects of mercury poisoning can be inherited
Most often, a person encounters mercury from a thermometer, especially if it breaks. But not everyone knows exactly how to act in this situation. First you need to quickly collect all the parts of the thermometer and the mercury balls. This must be done as carefully as possible, because the remaining particles can cause irreparable harm to residents, especially children and animals. This is done with rubber gloves. In hard-to-reach places, you can collect mercury using a syringe or patch. Place everything collected in a tightly closed container.
The next step is a thorough cleaning of the room, also done with gloves (already new) and a medical mask. A highly concentrated solution of potassium permanganate is suitable for processing. Wipe absolutely all surfaces in the house with this solution using a rag. Fill any gaps, cracks and other depressions with mortar. It is advisable to leave everything in this form for at least a day. For the next few days, ventilate the room daily.
You can call specialists who will make sure that there is no mercury or its vapor in the house if the thermometer breaks
Tetrodotoxin
The most effective defense mechanisms that nature has endowed living beings with are neurotoxins. These are substances that specifically damage the nervous system. Tetrodotoxin is perhaps the most dangerous and unusual of them. It is found in a variety of both terrestrial and aquatic animals. The substance tightly blocks the channels of nerve cells, which causes muscle paralysis.
The most common source of poisoning in Japan was eating fugu fish. It is surprising that today this fish is still used in cooking and is considered a delicacy - however, you need to know which parts to eat and in what season to catch the fish. Poisoning occurs extremely quickly, in some cases within six hours. It begins with a slight tingling of the lips and tongue, followed by vomiting and weakness, after which the patient falls into a coma. Effective emergency assistance measures have not yet been developed. Only artificial respiration can prolong life, because before death, breathing first stops, and only after a while does the heart stop beating.
Tetrodotoxin has been studied for many years, but not all details about it have yet been discovered.
The poisons described above have an extremely harmful effect on animal organisms, so extreme care must be taken when handling them. It is better if professionals do this.
